More than a third of travelers (36%) plan to spend more on leisure trips in 2011 than they did in 2010, and 42% plan to spend the same amount, according to TripAdvisor. Nine in 10 (90%) will take two or more leisure trips in 2011, on par with the 89% who did so in 2010.
Three quarters (75%) will travel to a domestic destination in the coming year, with the most popular cities being Las Vegas, New York, and San Francisco. Nearly seven in 10 (69%) will travel internationally, with 52% of those planning to visit Europe, 13% Asia, and 12% South America.
Deals were the best aspect of traveling in 2010, with 39% of travelers saying they enjoyed finding online travel deals and 22% taking advantage of cheaper hotel rates. Fees for carry-on baggage, cited by 69% of travelers, were by far perceived as the most onerous development.
Nearly 24% of travelers expect to fly more often in 2011 than they did in 2010, and 60% expect to fly the same amount. More than three quarters (77%) expect to pay fees for in-flight extras such as beverages or food. Despite their dislike of additional airline fees, 27% would pay extra to sit in a child-free section of a plane, and 19% would pay extra to sit in a quiet section.
Travelers’ deal-seeking behavior has made them much less loyal to hotel brands; 39% say they will be faithful to one brand in 2011, down from 59% in 2010. The brands they are most loyal to are:
• Marriott (24%);
• Hilton (18%); and
• Hampton Inn (7%).
While many of the “usual suspects” top the list of activities travelers plan to do while on vacation — such as visiting a historic site or a museum — the activities they have never done but are most interested in trying are a cruise (11%) and taking an educational course (11%).
The vast majority of travelers (69%) connect with work while on vacation; 62% check work email, and 13% call the office to check in. One in six (16%) say their work often affects their vacation plans. Only 8% consider planning remote vacations to avoid checking in with work.
Nine in 10 travelers (90%) check in with home while away. Nearly three quarters (74%) check in via email, 40% via text, and 28% via social media.
Cutting Back On Travel
Some 28% of leisure travelers reported taking fewer trips in 2010 than they did in 2008, according to the U.S. Travel Association. 
Cost is the most common reason, but a substantial proportion cites travel hassles. Those aged 55 and older (51%) are more likely than those under age 55 (41%) to say hassles are a reason they do not fly as much.
Nearly half of travelers (49%) would fly more often if they would encounter fewer hassles in the process. The vast majority (75%) believe there is a better way to provide air travel security than the procedures in place in 2010.
Flying Fees
Although many add-on fees for air travel have been in place for a while, 66% of travelers are still surprised by a fee at least some of the times they fly. More than a quarter (26%) say such fees place a “great deal” of strain on the budget for their trip, and only 19% say fees do not affect their travel budget at all.
Nearly all travelers (99%) believe airlines should be forced to disclose all of their fees on every website that sells tickets. [Travel/Tourism, Consumer Spending & Attitudes]
Sources: “2011 Travel Forecast,” TripAdvisor, Amelie Hurst, 41 Needham St., Newton, MA 02464; 415-829-8158; ahurst@tripadvisor.com; www.tripadvisor.com. Price: Available upon request at no charge.
“A Study of Air Traveler Perceptions Of Aviation Security Screening Procedures,” U.S. Travel Association, Cathy Keefe, 1100 New York Ave. NW, #450, Washington, DC 20005; 202-408-2183; ckeefe@ustravel.org; www.ustravel.org. Price: Available online at no charge.
“The Annoying Fee Survey,” Consumer Travel Alliance, Charlie Leocha, Director, 7062 Solomon Seal Ct., Springfield, VA 33152; 202-713-9596; leocha@consumertravelalliance.org; www.consumertravelalliance.org. Price: Available upon request at no charge.
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